Intermittent Fasting-- What's the skinny on this??

norahwynn

My sister mentioned that her boss is doing Intermittent Fasting and he seems to like it so far. I think it's only been a couple weeks and he hasn't mentioned if there's any inches/weight lost yet so she's not sure how successful the whole thing is so far.

I'd never heard of this prior to joining MFP, but in all the posts that I've seen, I haven't really heard of how and why it works better than eating all your calories like the average person (breakfast, lunch, dinner & a few snacks)

If we're exactly the same, and you're eating the same amount of calories as me, and burning the same amount of calories as me, how will you be more successful at losing weight/inches?

Mokey41

I'd never heard of this prior to joining MFP, but in all the posts that I've seen, I haven't really heard of how and why it works better than eating all your calories like the average person (breakfast, lunch, dinner & a few snacks)

It doesn't work. It's a mind over matter thing. If you eat the same calories spread over the whole day it's no different than cramming them all into a time period except you'll probably be grouchy and hungry while you fast. I know some people swear by it but if you think about it most of us fast for around 12 hours every day to start with between when you eat your last meal and when you have your breakfast. That hasn't done wonders for most people's weight loss!

kellywa1179

The idea behind calorie cycling is to randomly change your calorie intake so your body does not get used to the same, continuous deficit for a long period of time, and go into starvation mode where weight loss can stall. Some say it works, some say it doesnt.

alyssabrown94

It works for people if it fits their life style. It is very psychological. I fast 16 hours a day and eat between 12pm and 8 pm. I used to eat 5-6 mini meals throughout the day and it did not work for me. It made me constantly think about food and the next time I would eat/
Now I'm not hungry in the morning Plus, I now eat two large meals. My life no longer revolves around perfectly timed meals. It is easier to maintain a deficit while feeling satiated.

Ainar

I tried it. I it speed up my weight loss by quite impressive rate. But I think it was just because I was doing the same thing for a long time and my body get used to it, so fasting switched things up and broke my plateau, not because of actual fasting itself but just for the fact that I switched my eating times quite extremely and my body was not used to it. Then later it slowed down again after few months.

But since I started to do it I discovered that have more energy. When I ate I usually feel tired and lazy but when I fast I have way more energy, I can do my workouts better, I think better and focus better, it's easier for me to study, etc. So I am doing it now for that purpose, not for the actual weight loss. I also like to ate huge meals what leaves me more satisfied, so that's a benefit as well. I know people who did it and they feel super weak if they do not ate so that's different for each of us I guess.

I will keep doing it. I like it.

ItsCasey

It works for people if it fits their life style. It is very psychological. I fast 16 hours a day and eat between 12pm and 8 pm. I used to eat 5-6 mini meals throughout the day and it did not work for me. It made me constantly think about food and the next time I would eat/
Now I'm not hungry in the morning Plus, I now eat two large meals. My life no longer revolves around perfectly timed meals. It is easier to maintain a deficit while feeling satiated.

Pretty much exactly my experience with it, as well. I used to do a 16-hour fast, now doing 20 to 22 hours most days, sometimes 24+, depending on my schedule.

It is not magic. You are not going to lose weight just because you are only eating during an 8-hour window. You still have to maintain a calorie deficit. The benefits for me, similar to what was described above, are:

1. I don't have to deal with cooking, preparing, eating, or even thinking about food during the day. There's no rush in the morning to have breakfast or make a lunch, no storing things in the office fridge, no interrupting the workday to eat. It's especially helpful when I travel because I don't have to eat airport food, and eating out or from a room service menu won't totally destroy my nutritional goals for the day.

2. When I eat, I get to eat big, so there is room for pretty much whatever I want. I don't have to skip dessert or eat chicken when I'd rather have steak. I've got 1700 calories' worth of possibilities to play with.

BarackMeLikeAHurricane

I've been doing it for about a year. I find it much easier to stay within my calorie goal when I can eat a more satisfying meal instead of a bunch of snacks. Plus, it's easier to gain muscle on a deficit with IF.

Melissa11412

It works for people if it fits their life style. It is very psychological. I fast 16 hours a day and eat between 12pm and 8 pm. I used to eat 5-6 mini meals throughout the day and it did not work for me. It made me constantly think about food and the next time I would eat/
Now I'm not hungry in the morning Plus, I now eat two large meals. My life no longer revolves around perfectly timed meals. It is easier to maintain a deficit while feeling satiated.

Pretty much exactly my experience with it, as well. I used to do a 16-hour fast, now doing 20 to 22 hours most days, sometimes 24+, depending on my schedule.

It is not magic. You are not going to lose weight just because you are only eating during an 8-hour window. You still have to maintain a calorie deficit. The benefits for me, similar to what was described above, are:

1. I don't have to deal with cooking, preparing, eating, or even thinking about food during the day. There's no rush in the morning to have breakfast or make a lunch, no storing things in the office fridge, no interrupting the workday to eat. It's especially helpful when I travel because I don't have to eat airport food, and eating out or from a room service menu won't totally destroy my nutritional goals for the day.

2. When I eat, I get to eat big, so there is room for pretty much whatever I want. I don't have to skip dessert or eat chicken when I'd rather have steak. I've got 1700 calories' worth of possibilities to play with.

^^what she said^^ agree 100%
:laugh:

norahwynn

Thanks for the responses.

Is there a specific time block that you adhere to? I noticed a few people said they eat 12-8...is that the norm or are you able to choose say, 9-5 or 10-6? If I was to do this, I can't imagine eating so late in the evening. Just my preference.

Also, are there some people that just do it a few days a week then eat normally the other days, or do you have to do this every day of the week?

BarackMeLikeAHurricane

Thanks for the responses.

Is there a specific time block that you adhere to? I noticed a few people said they eat 12-8...is that the norm or are you able to choose say, 9-5 or 10-6? If I was to do this, I can't imagine eating so late in the evening. Just my preference.

Also, are there some people that just do it a few days a week then eat normally the other days, or do you have to do this every day of the week?

I eat from 7pm to 11pm. It's up to your preference. I can't sleep well unless I've eaten. Some people do alternate day fasting but most people that restrict to certain hours do it every day.

norahwynn

Thanks everyone. I'm not sure if it's for me, but at least I know the idea behind it now!

Showcase_Brodown

It's mostly just a preference thing, however I feel there can be some advantages to it having to do with nutrient partitioning, insulin sensitivity, and hunger control. Not to mention, bigger meals.

Total calories is the key for weight loss, so you still have to aim for a deficit if that is your goal.

There are different time windows you can you use. Some people, including myself, use an 8 hour eating window. It doesn't matter when that is. I picked 2-10. You can pick whatever fits your schedule.

The big authority on this stuff (in my opinion) is Martin at leangains.com

CoderGal

My sister mentioned that her boss is doing Intermittent Fasting and he seems to like it so far. I think it's only been a couple weeks and he hasn't mentioned if there's any inches/weight lost yet so she's not sure how successful the whole thing is so far.

I'd never heard of this prior to joining MFP, but in all the posts that I've seen, I haven't really heard of how and why it works better than eating all your calories like the average person (breakfast, lunch, dinner & a few snacks)

If we're exactly the same, and you're eating the same amount of calories as me, and burning the same amount of calories as me, how will you be more successful at losing weight/inches?

I do IF when I can and it's convenient which it usually is since it cuts down on preparation times. It's not a magic weight loss solution. It's just a preference.

On average I don't believe it works any better then calorie counting. For me it's just a different way to manage calories if you like eating larger meals. Also, it generally works out a lot easier on the system for men then it does women, but so far I've had no problems. With that said I highly recommend trying it out since I love it. But if you rather how your eating habits are now there's no need to change.

Also since someone brought it up eating in a magical time window or eating at specific times or eating a specific amount in a time frame doesn't do any magic either. Your body does not know if you are on eastern standard time and what not. It does not matter.

CoderGal

The idea behind calorie cycling is to randomly change your calorie intake so your body does not get used to the same, continuous deficit for a long period of time, and go into starvation mode where weight loss can stall. Some say it works, some say it doesnt.

Calorie cycling does not equate to intermittent fasting. I eat the same amount of calories every day.

ktully93

Bump to follow

jhmomofmany

It works for people if it fits their life style. It is very psychological. I fast 16 hours a day and eat between 12pm and 8 pm. I used to eat 5-6 mini meals throughout the day and it did not work for me. It made me constantly think about food and the next time I would eat/
Now I'm not hungry in the morning Plus, I now eat two large meals. My life no longer revolves around perfectly timed meals. It is easier to maintain a deficit while feeling satiated.

This exactly, especially that the "mini-meal" advice made me constantly hungry and food obsessed.

I am never hungry for breakfast, and not eating until the afternoon comes quite naturally and easily for me. I've been back to logging for only two weeks (had a baby in May)... I lost nearly 3 pounds the first week. Not sure what I lost this week (will weigh tomorrow) but I am right now wearing a pair of shorts that were too tight three weeks ago.

It's not for everyone, but it seems to be working for me.

slkehl

If we're exactly the same, and you're eating the same amount of calories as me, and burning the same amount of calories as me, how will you be more successful at losing weight/inches?

In this case, the person on IF should be losing the same as the person on a traditional diet. It's all about calories in vs. calories out.